I have done lots of research on various cooking oils. Read many books. Did a lot of internet research. Watched many youtube videos, including those of notable personalities like Rujuta Divekar and Dr B M Hegde. The extract of this research is as follows -:
Any kind of ‘refined’ oil is bad for health - whether is is Soyabean, Sunflower, Ricebran, or any other vareity. This is because the refining process invariably happens at a high temperature, and so the polyunsaturated fats present in the oil get converted into toxins!
Hence we should avoid using oils that contain higher percentage of polyunsaturated fats, and also avoid refined oils. We must used oils that are ‘cold-pressed’ or ‘kachchi ghani’.
Don’t use oils that contain high percentage of polyunsaturated fats, such as -:
Soybean Oil
Groundnut oil.
Sunflower Oil
Sesame Oil
Canola Oil
Rice Bran Oil
Corn Oil
Cottonseed Oil
Rapeseed Oil
Grapeseed Oil
Safflower Oil
Flax oil
Fish oil
Whenever you can afford, try to use following oils -:
Coconut oil is considered the best and most healthy oil. It contains the least amount of polyunsaturated fats. Even a baby can digest coconut oil. Also coconut oil is so light to digest that it can be completely digested in our mouth itself using the saliva.
Other health Benefits of Coconut Oil are as follows -:
Coconut oil is one of the few foods that can be classified as a “Superfood”. Its unique combination of fatty acids can have profound positive effects on health; .this includes fat loss, better brain function and various other amazing benefits.
Skin care: Coconut oil acts as an effective moisturizer on all types of skin, including dry skin. The benefit of coconut oil on the skin is comparable to that of mineral oil. Coconut oil also helps in treating various skin problems including psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema , skin infections, premature aging and degenerative diseases due to its well-known antioxidant properties.
Hair care: Coconut oil helps in healthy growth of hair and gives your hair a shiny quality. It is also highly effective in reducing protein loss which can lead to various unattractive or unhealthy qualities in your hair.
Heart diseases: coconut oil is beneficial for the heart. It contains about 50% lauric acid, which helps in actively preventing various heart problems like high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. The saturated fats present in coconut oil are not harmful as you commonly find in vegetable oils. Coconut oil does not lead to increase in LDL levels, and it reduces the incidence of injury and damage to arteries and therefore helps in preventing atherosclerosis.
Weight loss: Coconut oil is very useful for weight loss. It contains short and medium-chain fatty acids that help in taking off excessive weight. It is also easy to digest and it helps in healthy functioning of the thyroid and endocrine system. Further, it increases the body’s metabolic rate by removing stress on the pancreas, thereby burning more energy and helping obese and overweight people lose the weight.
Immunity: Coconut oil is also good for the immune system. It strengthens the immune system because it contains antimicrobial lipids, lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid which have antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties.
Digestion: The saturated fats present in coconut oil have antimicrobial properties and help in dealing with various bacteria, fungi, and parasites that can cause indigestion. Coconut oil also helps in the absorption of other nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and amino acids.
Candida: Coconut has been shown to prevent and even cure candida. It provides relief from the inflammation caused by candida, both externally and internally. Its high moisture retaining capacity keeps the skin from cracking or peeling off.